The Bank of Latvia have issued a new collector coin which is part of the EUROPA silver star collector coin initiative highlighting various European achievements in literature, artistry, exploration and landmarks. This year’s chosen theme is literature and Latvia’s inclusion and contribution to the project is that of Rūdolfs Blaumanis (1863–1908) known to many Latvians for his satirical and vivid characters drawn from rural life.
Blaumanis’s most important contribution to Latvian literature is his serious work in fiction and drama. Much of his work draws its power from the masterful depiction of entangled relationships and contradictions among people and their often tragic resolution. The portrayal of the Latvian national character in Blaumanis’s literary works bears comparison with his Swedish contemporaries Anders Zorn and Carl Larsson who in their art gave a concentrated visual definition of a typical Swede, his or her lifestyle, principles and worldview. This national character is not fixed historically and many of the themes and problems related to it can be found in Latvian contemporary life as well.
The coin, struck by the Regia Autonomǎ Monetǎria Statului – National Mint of Romania, is designed by Aigars Ozoliņš. The obverse features a stylized half-portrait of Rūdolfs Blaumanis with a background of the titles of the writer’s many works along with the Silver Star logo of the “EUROPA Programme”. The inscription “Rūdolfs Blaumanis” is placed in the left lower part of the reverse, with the year 2013 below the portrait. The reverse design includes a homestead surrounded by trees, nestling on a tree leaf, and is placed in the center. The inscriptions LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA, arranged in a semicircle, and 1 LATS are placed above and beneath the primary design.
|
Denomination |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Quality |
Mintage |
|
1 Lat |
.925 fine silver |
22 grams |
35 mm. |
Proof |
5000 pieces |
For more information on this and other coins offered by the Bank of Latvia, please visit their website at: http://www.bank.lv/en/money/collector-coins-of-the-bank-of-latvia Information is offered in English.
Last Latvian Silver Coin issue was sold out! This may hold true for Rudolfs Blaumanis Commemorative Coin could be sold out soon? So how come Latvian Coins are being sold out?
Much of the reason Latvian coins sell so well is the marketing in Latvia itself. There are many Latvian coin collectors, the new gold and silver coins are seen as a good investment there and the mintage is on the low side so, it’s likely that this one will sell well also.
You may contact the Bank of Latvia directly to enquire if they can sell directly – I am not certain if they will do outside of Europe.
Why Royal Scandinavian Mint is selling 20 lats samon silver coin and baby 1 lat silver coin, but not Rudolfs Blaumanis commemorative coins? So why did RSM did not want to sell Rudolfs Blaumanis silver commemorative coin?
3rd May
There are some instances where not all coins are available for international distribution – take for example, the last Irish €10 silver coin issued which included a portrait of James Joyce, this coin sold out in just three days after its release date.
The Bank of Latvia might have given their own collectors an opportunity to purchase this coin before making it available for international distribution – check back with the RSM shortly or contact them to see if they are expecting any of the Blaumanis coins soon.
Finally, I will mention Latvian Silver Coins which was sold out last year; Riga Technical University Commemorative Silver Coin, 5 Lats Silver Collector Coin, and Amber Centered Silver Coin. In fact 2012 Riga Technical University Commemorative Coin were sold out within 3 hours after it was released! So I hope doesn’t happen to Rudolfs Blaumanis Commemorative and other 2013 Latvian Silver Coin issues before I can buy them?